Academic Programs Catalog

College of Natural Science

Graduate Study

Three master’s degree programs are available. The Master of Arts degree in Biomedical Laboratory Science program for working professionals is available as a non-thesis option. The Master of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Science program is a traditional science-oriented degree with both thesis and non-thesis options. The Master of Science in Biomedical Laboratory Operations program is a blending of business management with the science needed to prepare managers for positions in regulated research, industry and medical settings. All three master’s degrees are available in an online format.

Biomedical Laboratory Science - Master of Arts

The Master of Arts degree in Biomedical Laboratory Science is administered by the Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program. The program is designed to enhance the student’s knowledge base and broaden their perspectives across the profession. In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Natural Science, students must meet all requirements specified below.

Admission

Regular admission to the Master of Arts degree in Biomedical Laboratory Science requires completion of a bachelor of science degree, with a minimum grade-point average of 3.0. Applicants must submit official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a letter of intent or purpose statement, a brief resume, and the General GRE (Graduate Record Exam) score. The GRE exam score can be waived in lieu of a professional credential or a waiver request to the Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program Admissions Committee. For applicants in which English is not their first language, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must be taken. Scholastic record, experience, personal qualifications and career goals are taken into consideration to determine the applicant’s acceptability.

Applicants who fail to meet the criteria for regular admission, may apply for provisional admission if they have demonstrated a high probability of success and will be provided other options to obtain a post-baccalaureate clinical laboratory education.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Biomedical Laboratory Science

The program is available online and only under Plan B (without thesis). The student must complete a total of 30 credits from the following:

1.

All of the following courses (10 or 11 credits):

BLD

801

Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Seminar

2

BLD

805

Communication in the Sciences

2

BLD

811

Fundamentals of Scientific Research

1

BLD

890

Selected Problems in Clinical Laboratory Science

2 or 3

PHM

830

Experimental Design and Analysis

3

2.

Complete at least 14 credits from the following courses:

BLD

815

Cell Biology in Health and Disease I

2

BLD

816

Cell Biology in Health and Disease II

2

BLD

821

Advanced Clinical Laboratory Practice

1

BLD

830

Concepts in Molecular Biology

2

BLD

831

Clinical Application of Molecular Biology

2

BLD

832

Molecular Pathology Laboratory

2

BLD

835

Hemostasis, Thrombosis and Effective Resource Management

3

BLD

836

Adverse Transfusion Outcomes: Detection, Monitoring and Prevention

2

BLD

837

Transfusion Service Operations and Management

1

BLD

838

Clinical Context of Blood Product Management

1

BLD

842

Managing Biomedical Laboratory Operations

2

BLD

844

Topics in Biomedical Laboratory Operations

1

BLD

846

Decision Processes for Biomedical Laboratory Operations

2

BLD

850

Concepts in Immunodiagnostics

2

BLD

851

Clinical Application of Immunodiagnostic Principles

2

BLD

852

Immunodiagnostics Laboratory

2

BLD

853

Advanced Flow Cytometry

2

BLD

861

Emerging Infections, Emerging Technology

2

BLD

870

Clinical Mass Spectrometry Theory

2

BLD

871

Applied Clinical Mass Spectrometry

2

BLD

872

Clinical Mass Spectrometry Laboratory

2

3.

Complete 5 credits of electives as approved by the guidance committee.

4.

Successfully complete a capstone project.

Clinical Laboratory Sciences - Master of Science

The graduate program in clinical laboratory sciences leads to the Master of Science degree. The program emphasizes the multidisciplinary nature of the laboratory sciences, encourages research that crosses traditional laboratory disciplines, and promotes innovative thinking.
The curriculum is customized to the student's interests and to supporting the project each student identifies. Students may conduct research projects with both resident and adjunct faculty.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Natural Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Regular admission to the Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science requires completion of a bachelor of science degree, with a minimum grade-point average of 3.0. Applicants must submit official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a letter of intent or purpose statement, a brief resume, and the General GRE (Graduate Record Exam) score. For applicants in which English is not their first language, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must be taken.

Certification as a medical technologist/clinical laboratory scientist is preferred, but not required, for admission to the master's degree program in clinical laboratory sciences. Scholastic record, experience, personal qualifications and career goals are taken into consideration to determine the applicant’s acceptability.

One course in biochemistry or cell biology as approved by the guidance committee.

4.

One 400-level or 800-level course in statistics as approved by the guidance committee.

5.

Not more than 9 credits in 400–level courses. All 400-level courses must be approved by the guidance committee.

Additional Requirements for Plan A:

BLD

899

Master's Thesis Research

7

Additional Requirements for Plan B:

BLD

890

Selected Problems in Clinical Laboratory Science

3

Biomedical Laboratory Operations - Master of Science

The master’s degree program in biomedical laboratory operations is designed for individuals with previous clinical laboratory experience who seek career advancement as managers, administrators, researchers, entrepreneurs and policymakers in the field. The core of this program resides in three major components: science, management and practice. The science component focuses on post-baccalaureate courses planned to develop a high level of competence within the student’s chosen biomedical laboratory discipline. The management component provides a solid foundation in general business including resource management, communication skills, organizational structures, decision making, and essential aspects of working in a regulated industry. The degree is intended to expose individuals to real-life problems with an expectation of generating positive, realistic solutions.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and the College of Natural Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Regular admission to the Master of Science degree in Biomedical Laboratory Operations requires completion of a bachelor of science degree, with a minimum grade-point average of 3.0, in a field of study directly related to the focus of this program and a minimum of two years’ experience in a clinical laboratory setting. Applicants must submit official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a letter of intent or purpose statement, a brief resume, and General Record Examination (GRE) scores. For applicants in which English is not their first language, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must be taken. Applicants with certification in a clinical laboratory profession may apply their clinical education or internship experience towards the two-year experience requirement. Scholastic record, experience, personal qualifications and career goals are taken into consideration to determine the applicant’s acceptability.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Biomedical Laboratory Operations

The student must complete 31 credits under Plan B (without thesis). The specific program of study includes competence in statistics and completion of a project in Biomedical Laboratory Operations as determined in consultation with the student’s guidance committee. The final oral examination, which covers both course work and research, is administered by the student’s guidance committee.

1.

The following courses (9 credits):

BLD

801

Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Seminar

1

BLD

805

Communication in the Sciences

2

BLD

811

Fundamentals of Scientific Research

1

BLD

842

Managing Biomedical Laboratory Operations

2

BLD

844

Topics in Biomedical Laboratory Operations

1

BLD

846

Decision Processes for Biomedical Laboratory Operations

2

2.

Complete a minimum of 13 credits in courses with a science focus.

3.

Complete a minimum of 3 credits of BLD 895 Projects in Biomedical Laboratory Operations. The project will be determined in consultation with the student's guidance committee.

4.

Complete 6 credits of electives as approved by the guidance committee.